Pilot Course Entry #2: The Syllabus

A syllabus is a more specific plan than a curriculum, one that lays out what each class session might entail. Because it is published, though, for students, administration, and for the Ministry, being too specific can lead one to hamstring oneself. Indicating only the topic of each week’s lesson allows me to change content depending on the quality of students. Since this is a required third-year class with tracked English majors, the level, for Japan, will be relatively high, with an average TOEIC score about 550, perhaps even 600.

By adapting Moodle for smart phones (goal 1), I will be able to keep all of the class materials organized in one place. The idea, though, is for students to use English Central software outside the class for content input, and use class time for small group interaction. Autonomy (goal 2) is developed by putting students in charge of the activities they develop. Evaluation in class will be based on peer review. Next post will be about managing peer review. The characters along with the number “45” each week indicate the homework.

Society Today 1 Group 2 (Spring 2015) ST1G2M2

There are five main topics to stimulate use of English in all four skills; Education, Technology, Gender, Ecology, and Current Events. We read short passages and watch short videos online, do vocabulary and pronunciation activities for homework. These activities are linked to in-class comprehension and discussion activities that build on the topics. Students will prepare and create activities to lead a small group session for 15 minutes at least once during the semester.

Published by Kevin Ryan

Known on the Internet as tokyokevin, he has been using computers for teaching since the early 90's. He is trying to keep up. His students use iPads and laptops in class, but he is looking for other ways to break down the classroom walls. Research: CALL, Autonomous Learning and Writing for the Web. Cycling to work, the bass, and way too much digital exploration take the edge off.
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